‘And it came about that when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea in Beyond Jordan, and great crowds followed him, and he healed them there.'
Once Jesus had completed His ministry in Galilee He set off for Jerusalem for the last time, coming into the borders of Judaea. He had made a number of previous visits to Jerusalem, as we know from John's Gospel, but this would be His last. During this visit He will present Himself to the Jews as the Coming King for those who have eyes to see. As usual great crowds followed Him. They also would be going up to the feast. And He continued His ministry towards them, healing them in both body and soul (compare Matthew 8:17). For similar closures as this (‘when He had finished') following selections of His teaching see Matthew 7:28; Matthew 11:1; Matthew 13:53; Matthew 26:1.
‘Beyond the Jordan.' The areas around the Jordan on both sides of the river were called ‘Beyond the Jordan' (compare our description Transjordan). If this entry was into Judaea proper it would necessarily be in Beyond Jordan on the west side of the Jordan. On the other hand Jesus' entry into Jerusalem via Jericho indicates that at some time stage He went East of Jordan into Peraea, finally crossing the Jordan from east to west in order to take the Jericho road. But Matthew's concern is to emphasise the entry into Judaea, leaving his native Galilee.